Performance anxiety—often called stage fright—can affect singers, actors, public speakers, and even professionals who use their voice every day. It’s that familiar rush of nerves, tightness in the throat, and self‑doubt that can appear just when you need to perform at your best. While many focus only on vocal technique, true confidence comes when you address both the physical and emotional roots of anxiety.

In my work as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPCC) and experienced vocal coach, I blend technical voice training with therapeutic support to help clients not only improve their sound but also feel free and confident in their self‑expression.

Understanding Performance Anxiety and the Voice

Your voice is deeply personal. It’s tied to identity, emotions, and self‑expression. From your first cries as a baby to conversations and performances in adulthood, your voice has always been a primary tool for communication. When anxiety takes over, it can block that natural flow.

Common signs of performance anxiety include:

Shallow breathing or shortness of breath
Tightness in the throat, neck, or jaw
Trembling voice or hands
Difficulty focusing or remembering lines
Intense self‑criticism before, during, or after a performance

Understanding that these symptoms are both physical and emotional is the first step toward overcoming them.

Why Voice Work Is So Effective

Traditional anxiety tips—such as “just relax” or “think positive”—often fall short for performers. That’s because performance anxiety lives not only in the mind but also in the body and voice.

Voice work techniques focus on:

Breathing – Learning how to breathe deeply and steadily helps ground your body and calm your mind.
Body Awareness – Releasing unnecessary tension supports a freer, more resonant sound.
Emotional Connection – Reconnecting with the meaning behind your words or song can shift focus away from fear.

When these elements are combined with therapeutic tools, you can change how you experience performing—both mentally and physically.

Techniques to Break Free from Performance Anxiety

1. Grounding Breathwork

Shallow breathing is a common response to stress. Practicing slow, diaphragmatic breathing before and during performances calms your nervous system and supports a steady voice.

Try this: Inhale slowly for a count of four, letting your belly expand. Hold for a count of two, then exhale gently for a count of six.

2. Vocal Warm‑Ups

Gentle humming, lip trills, and scale exercises prepare your voice and release tension. Warming up also signals to your mind that you are ready to perform.

3. Visualization

Mentally rehearsing a confident, enjoyable performance can rewire your brain to expect success instead of fear. Picture yourself on stage, grounded, and connected to your voice.

4. Addressing Self‑Talk

Negative thoughts can trigger anxiety before you even begin. In therapy, we work on recognizing and reshaping these thoughts into more supportive, realistic ones.

5. In‑the‑Moment Support

For some clients, I accompany them to rehearsals, recording sessions, or performances to provide real‑time coaching and therapeutic grounding. This can make a significant difference in reducing fear and building confidence.

The Emotional Side of Voice Work

Many people assume their vocal challenges are purely technical. However, fear of judgment, past criticism, perfectionism, or a single “bad” performance can create lasting emotional blocks. These experiences can make you hold back or push too hard, both of which strain your voice.

Through therapeutic voice work, we explore these experiences gently, helping you release their hold on your confidence.

Who Benefits from These Techniques

Voice work techniques are helpful for:

Singers and musicians preparing for auditions or shows
Actors facing stage fright or audition nerves
Public speakers wanting to project confidence
Professionals who speak daily and want to reduce strain
Anyone seeking greater freedom in vocal expression

From Fear to Freedom

Performance anxiety doesn’t have to hold you back. By combining voice work techniques with therapeutic support, you can transform anxiety into confidence, tension into ease, and fear into creative freedom.

Your voice is unique—and it deserves to be heard without fear or limitation.

Work with Deborah Weisberg, LMFT, LPCC

If performance anxiety has been silencing your true expression, I can help. Through a supportive blend of vocal coaching and therapy, we’ll work together to strengthen your technique, release emotional blocks, and help you perform with authenticity and confidence.

Contact me today to begin your journey toward vocal freedom.

Voice Work Techniques to Break Free from Performance Anxiety | Deborah Weisberg, LMFT, LPCC